Falcons, Huskies take different tacks
Wheaton North ( 2- 0) at Naperville North ( 2- 0), 7: 30 p. m. Friday
Two teams on the cusp of the Super 25 have a chance to make a statement. Wheaton North has beaten Wheaton- Warrenville South and Joliet Catholic. The Falcons have emphasized their running game, a twopronged attack featuring Sam Singleton and Antowon Tolbert. Naperville North has a highflying passing game highlighted by transfer Drake Davis, who helped the Huskies score more than 50 points in both games this season. Sometimes it takes transfer quarterbacks awhile to jell with a new team, but Davis hit the ground running.
Crystal Lake Central ( 2- 0) at No. 2 Prairie Ridge ( 2- 0), 7 p. m. Friday
First it was Cary- Grove, then Huntley. Things don’t get easier for Prairie Ridge in Week 3 against undefeated Crystal Lake Central. The Tigers came from behind to beat rival Crystal Lake South last week. Quarterback Jake Staples and running back Braden Bisram led the way. The Tigers also feature offensive lineman Wyatt Blake, a Northwestern recruit. Prairie Ridge quarterback Samson Evans was terrific in Week 2, posting 245 yards and five touchdowns against Huntley.
No. 20 Mount Carmel ( 2- 0) at No. 5 Loyola ( 1- 1), 1 p. m. Saturday
Catholic Blue play begins with a bang for the Caravan and Ramblers. Loyola lost a close game to No. 4 Phillips in Week 1 and picked up a big win against California’s Bishop Amat last week. That should give the Ramblers some momentum. Mount Carmel’s defense already has two shutouts, and running back Ben Lenti has posted big numbers. Loyola has running back Hamid Bullie back from injury, and quarterback Quinn Boyle has had strong performances in the first two games of the season. Whichever team comes out on top has a good chance to win the Catholic Blue title.
No. 4 Phillips ( 2- 0) vs. Simeon ( 0- 2) at Gately, 6: 30 p. m. Saturday
This is the best Public League matchup of the season. Phillips already has beaten two ranked teams, No. 5 Loyola and No. 24 Richards. Simeon has a speedy, talented team, which lost by a point to No. 19 Oak Park in Week 1 and then traveled to Detroit Cass Tech in Week 2 and lost 17- 12. Don’t count the Wolverines out. Quarterback Alante Brown has been hard to stop, and receiver Leon Payne had 115 receiving yards against Cass Tech. Phillips quarterback J’Bore Gibbs has size, speed and arm strength along with a bevy of young, athletic players to support him.
Waubonsie Valley ( 1- 1) at No. 22 Neuqua Valley ( 1- 1), 7: 30 p. m. Friday
This could be a turning point. Waubonsie Valley has plenty of talent, highlighted by Northern Illinois recruit Charles Robinsion and defensive back Derric Lee. The Warriors lost 36- 34 to No. 21 Lake Park in Week 1 and beat Glenbard North 21- 7 in Week 2. Neuqua Valley quarterback Jake Eskoff is an athlete to watch and likely will be key to the Wildcats’ success.
Follow me on Twitter @ Beth_ Long.